53 PERIPHERAL EDEMA General Discussion Edema results from an imbalance of forces controlling fluid exchange. These forces include increased capillary hydraulic pressure, decreased plasma oncotic pressure, increased capillary permeability, and…
52 OSTEOPOROSIS General Discussion Primary osteoporosis results from deterioration of bone mass that is related to aging and decreased gonadal function but is not associated with any chronic illness. Because…
51 NEPHROLITHIASIS General Discussion The lifetime risk of passing a kidney stone is about 8–10% among North American males, with a peak incidence at age 30 years. Women have a…
49 MUSCLE WEAKNESS General Discussion The first step in the evaluation of muscle weakness is differentiating true muscle weakness from fatigue and asthenia. Fatigue is the inability to continue performing…
48 LEUKOPENIA General Discussion The normal peripheral white blood cell count ranges from 5.0 to 10.0 × 109/L. Leukopenia is defined as a total WBC count below 4.5 × 109/L….
47 LEUKOCYTOSIS General Discussion Leukocytosis is defined as a white blood cell (WBC) count greater than 11 000 per mm3. Circulating leukocytes consist of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and lymphocytes….
13 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE General Discussion Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by the presence of sustained abnormalities of renal function and results from different causes of renal injury. CKD…
45 INFERTILITY, MALE General Discussion Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, affects 15% of couples. Half of these couples have a component of…
